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THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF UNCONTROLLED HORMONES

The long-term effects of acromegaly are not only disabling but also disfiguring. Most acromegalic patients are diagnosed 4 to 10 years after the onset of changes in features, bone overgrowth, soft tissue swelling, fatigue, skin changes, and cardiovascular symptoms.1-3

Uncontrolled acromegaly leads to increased risk of complications2,3

After successful treatment of acromegaly, many symptoms associated with the disease decrease. Nevertheless, some physical changes (for example, in bone and cartilage) are often irreversible. These factors make acromegaly a disease with a considerable impact on health-related quality of life.4,5

The following are some of the most important physical effects in patients with acromegaly6:

Body image

Pain

Depression

Mood changes

Energy and strength level

Physical and mental drive

Mortality of Acromegaly

Patients with acromegaly have approximately 2x the risk of mortality compared with the general population. The main causes of mortality in acromegaly are4,7:

Cardiovascular disease (60%)

Respiratory disease (25%)

Malignancies (15%)

Causes of mortality4

High levels of GH and the presence of hypertension and heart disease are the main determinants of mortality. Control of GH and/or IGF-1 levels reduce(s) mortality rates, despite the coexisting complications.7

By lowering IGF-1 and GH levels, patients' mortality rates can be reduced to expected levels of the general population.7

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